Employment
Action Point 5.1 EMPLOYMENT IN RINGMER
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1. The Issue or Problem |
| 2. Specific evidence of the importance of the issue to Ringmer People
Although 18% of respondents in the survey in paid employment worked within Ringmer (Q. 41), there seemed limited public awareness of local business. There is no available list of Ringmer businesses. While more respondents favoured increasing local employment than opposed it (Q. 43), 'don't know' was the most frequent response to this query. The development of existing business sites was by far the most popular response to the open ended question about where businesses should be located, with only 11 responses supporting such developments in further redundant agricultural sites (Q. 45). However, when asked directly (Q.49) 53% favoured redundant farm buildings being converted for commercial purposes, with safeguards as detailed in 3a below. |
| 3. The Action (a) Support further improvement in local employment opportunities, in so far as possible by retention and more intensive utilisation of the existing commercial sites. Further conversion of redundant agricultural buildings for commercial purposes should also be encouraged, subject to conversion not resulting in excessive traffic increase, the site having adequate access, the existing appearance of the site being preserved, there being no adverse environmental impact and the new business uses not creating additional noise, smell or pollution. (b) Use of greenfield sites for additional business development will be opposed. (c) Create and maintain a register of Ringmer businesses and seek to facilitate the development of a Ringmer employers' organisation to promote common interests. |
| 4. How it will be tackled (a) and (b) Through the planning system. (c) Via a village website and by encouraging local employers to form an organisation. |
| 5. Who will do it (a) and (b) Ringmer Parish Council, Lewes District Council & councillors. (c) Local employers in consultation with Ringmer Parish Council and a village website manager. |
| 6. When should it be done by (a) and (b) Ongoing (c) In 2003-4 |
| 7. Resource implications (a) and (b) Minimal (c) Not yet ascertained |
| 1. The Issue or Problem To achieve provision of broadband internet access for the Ringmer exchange so as to enable households, community groups and small businesses to benefit from faster and better value access to the benefits offered by the internet. Links: Possible links to AP1.3 Advice/Information Centre, AP1.6 Library, AP8.1 Young People's facilities. |
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2. Specific evidence of the importance of the issue
to Ringmer People |
| 3. The Action (a) Get the Ringmer exchange upgraded to enable residents access to broadband. This will benefit the bulk of residents who choose to use the service, but not those who live too far from the exchange. (b) Consider provision for those who live outside the exchange. (c)After the exchange is upgraded, investigate ways of spreading the benefits. |
| 4. How it will be tackled (a) 1 Publicity to increase the number of registrations, e.g. Action Plan Open Day, RCC parents' newsletter and the website. More ideas for publicity needed. 2 Liaison with other interested bodies, including other parish councils and ESCC officer charged with increasing take up of broadband, Sally Meecham. 3 Internal Ringmer communication, including use of an email list. (b) Conduct a low level survey to identify people who might want to use broadband, but are too far from the exchange. This could be done by the parish council in conjunction with Ms Meecham, NFU, AIRS etc. If a need is found, it might then be practicable to discuss alternatives with BT. (c) Once the Ringmer exchange is upgraded, ensure that all who wish to take advantage of the service are able to. There may be a case for a community based internet café, which can be used at reasonable cost for, say, the elderly and those on low incomes to benefit. This could link in with the proposed advice centre (Action Point 1.3). Community groups may wish to run web pages to promote their own interests and services. A parish council or community based initiative to swap skills and services in this area could be set up. |
| 5. Who will do it Rob Parsons. Possible volunteers from those who have so far registered an interest. Ringmer and other neighbouring Parish Councils. Sally Meecham, ESCC officer charged with increasing take up of broadband. |
| 6. When should it be done by Initial discussions to take place by end of summer 2003. Subsequent dead lines will depend upon the outcome of these. |
| 7. Resource implications Initially time and effort. Depending on the outcome of the initial discussions, more time together with money would be required. |
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